More on the TriTrack, an Auto X-Prize contender, sort of
Click above for a gallery of TriTrack renderings
The stated goal of the Automotive X-Prize is to spur the "design [of] viable, clean and super-efficient cars that people want to buy." That's going to take innovation, which is a great thing, though these concepts still need to be realistic. We're not counting anybody out, but a company called Roane Inventions may be stretching a bit with its TriTrack. The vehicle, which we first met in October, has a couple of different modes in theory, but for the purposes of the X-Prize's $10 million prize, the TriTrack will function as a three-wheeled electric vehicle with an 81.5 horsepower motor.
The entire concept is much larger, though, and would include a smaller battery and motor assembly that would power the car to a monorail track, where the battery would be left behind. After the destination is reached, a fresh battery pack would be reinserted into the TriTrack shell to get the driver where they needed to go. Ambitious? Definitely, and we're not so sure it's a great idea. Check out the galleries below and read this to get a better idea of how it's all supposed to work.
Gallery: TriTrack Auto X-Prize contender
Gallery: Austin Alt Car: TriTrack
[Source: TriTrack via Wired]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 9:19PM (1/03/2009)
This car can be transformed in a flying car eventually with a shape like that and small wheels.
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Don 10:46PM (1/03/2009)
And it will fly fast and straight into the trash can.
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Chris M 12:42AM (1/04/2009)
While I am generally in favor of "dual mode" vehicles (Runs both on roads and on automated guideways), this version has too many design flaws to ever be practical.
The overall design isn't very practical, that bubble top makes for a severe A/C load in sunny weather, the rear seat view is blocked, and it isn't very easy to get in and out.
It is proprietary, limited to one model, thus limiting usage. A good dual mode design would accomodate a variety of vehicle types from various manufacturers.
The triangular monorail it uses for a guideway doesn't allow switching, so there would have to be a separate guideway for each destination point - and a serious problem for anyone that accidentaly gets on the wrong guideway! The guideway design also requires a very large turning radius, making it difficult to fit into congested urban areas.
Having to drop off the battery pack to enter the guideway, and having to pick up a battery in order to leave the guidway will cause problems when too many people head for the same destination. The "guideway exit" would run out of battery packs, and the whole system comes to a screetching halt until someone loads up spare packs onto a truck and delivers them where needed.
There are far better designs out there, but I fear that bad designs like this one might hinder the potential for developing a good dual mode system.
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BoneHeadOtto 9:15AM (1/04/2009)
Lets hope their engineering skills are better than their illustration skills.
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Carney 10:51AM (1/05/2009)
Wow, I love the outfit of the woman in the drawing. Feminine, attractive, but not cheap. If only the average woman still dressed like that, instead of slouching around in sweats and flip-flops.
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Douglas Fairburn 12:34PM (1/11/2009)
Base-bleeding by natural ventilation using an “Air Channeler” increases base pressure by directly connecting the high pressure region at the front or sides of a vehicle into the lower pressure area at the base or rear of the vehicle. In this manner, a disruption of the vortices associated with the drag effect is established and a global equalization of pressure on the vehicle is recognized. Reducing wind resistance and drag simultaneously, this method can be utilized on commercial tractors, trailers and automobiles. There is an integral method of vent flow using an internal duct to be manufactured into new vehicles, and an external apparatus or add-on device “Air Channeler” for retrofitting older vehicles.
The “Air Channeler” weighs less than 30 pounds has no moving parts, requires no preventive maintenance, no power sources, or driver intervention and dose not interfere with loading dock or driving operations. It significantly improves handling and safety by reducing wake blast and turbulence while passing or being passed, especially in crosswinds or rainy conditions.
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Douglas Fairburn 12:37PM (1/11/2009)
Its all about reducing drag! Base-bleeding by natural ventilation uses the kinetic energy of the high pressure or wind resistance on the front or sides of a vehicle by directly connecting it to the low pressure area centrally located on the aft or rear of the vehicle via air channeling devices or venting tubes. Wind resistance and drag is reduced simultaneously as high pressure naturally seeks to equalize a low pressure region and as barometric pressure adjusts at the intake and outlet ends of the air channeling device, a global equalization of pressure around the surrounding surfaces of the vehicle is recognized. Reducing wind resistance and drag simultaneously significantly improves stability, handling and fuel mileage by reducing the turbulent out board blast of air on the front and sides of the vehicle along with the wake or vortices associated with drag. Base-bleeding by natural ventilation saves energy any time it is in motion as it requires no power sources, moving parts, preventive maintenance, driver intervention and dose not interfere with loading dock or driving operations.
This method is economically and environmentally friendly and can be utilized on tractors, trailers and automobiles.
The “Air Channeler” is proudly engineered, designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. and is patented under US 6,561,575 B2 and US 6,692,066 B2
truckitservices@aol.com
Base-bleeding by controlled flow is not to be mistaken with the natural ventilation method, as the two are similar in theory they are completely different in design and effectiveness. The controlled flow method directly injects air into the base or aft region of a vehicle or trailer using a centrifugal blower in an attempt to equalize the low pressure on the base or rear of a vehicle to that of the high pressure region around the surrounding body in an attempt to disrupt the vortices associated with drag, this method does not decrease the air pressure or wind resistance on the front or side regions of the vehicle, thus maintaining higher wind resistance in respect to that of a ”Naturally Vented” base-bled equipped vehicle. For what drag reducing qualities it might facilitate, “Controlled Flow” is not feasible due to the complexity of the active devices extra weight, space, maintenance, and energy used to operate, costing more than it produces. Using energy to save energy is not cost effective or practicably applicable to the automotive market or transportation industry.
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Sean Gates 11:40PM (1/11/2009)
Wow, I didn't know Google's SketchUp could get me featured on AutoBlogGreen.
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